“As mayor, you’ve got to have the ability to take these items tongue in cheek,” Weiers advised The Washington Put up. “And I actually am superb at that.”
So as a substitute of getting it off his desk, Weiers signed a proclamation for Glendale to be renamed “Swift Metropolis” on Friday and Saturday, when the celebrity is ready to carry out. Town introduced the change Monday, sending sparks flying as followers reacted.
However as some praised the transfer, others have raised questions on its function and practicality.
For the reason that Swift Metropolis announcement, which has amassed greater than 30,000 likes and a couple of.4 million views on Twitter, folks in Arizona and throughout the nation have questioned what the identify change truly means. Would delivery certificates from the weekend say Swift Metropolis? May followers get Swift Metropolis, Ariz., listed on their aircraft tickets or driver’s licenses?
Whereas Glendale plans to place up some “Welcome to Swift Metropolis” indicators for the weekend, the two-day swap is symbolic, Weiers advised The Put up.
“It creates a superb spirit,” he stated. “It doesn’t hurt anyone, and it actually doesn’t price our taxpayers any cash.”
Town first introduced its plan Friday, saying that it was taking over a Swift-inspired rebrand to “welcome her in ‘model’” alongside a video of Weiers strolling in metropolis corridor to the tune “Love Story (Taylor’s Model).” Followers swiftly took to social media to ship of their guesses for town’s new identify — Swiftdale, Eraszona and Glendale (Taylor’s Model) have been among the many prime guesses.
After the Swift Metropolis announcement Monday, Weiers stated he hopes the opposite cities on the Eras Tour listing could be “sensible sufficient” to mark Swift’s appearances in comparable methods.
“Why wouldn’t we attempt to reap the benefits of this, have enjoyable with it and simply make it as fulfilling as doable for any guests, any of her followers which can be right here?” he stated.
After the brand new metropolis identify dropped, Arizona state Rep. Analise Ortiz, a Democrat who represents Glendale, posted a TikTok with Rep. Lupe Contreras (D) to Swift’s tune “Bejeweled,” writing within the caption that she was “thrilled” to welcome the artist to the state.
The TikTok rapidly grew to become one in all Ortiz’s most-watched movies, with greater than 280,000 views. Past bringing pleasure for the Eras Tour, Ortiz stated Glendale’s identify change unexpectedly gave her an opportunity to attach with a youthful viewers.
“I might hope that via my foolish TikTok dance, I’d acquire some new Swiftie followers who will then begin to see my movies educating them on the legislative course of,” she stated.
For now, although, Ortiz is planning her outfit for the Saturday present she’ll be attending with three of her nieces. She hopes seeing the live performance in Swift Metropolis solely provides to the recollections they’ll maintain onto from the Eras Tour.
“For town to have the ability to have a little bit enjoyable and likewise have fun the tour, it’s a superb factor,” Ortiz stated.